Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
GLAIM, n., v. Also glaeme, ¶gleum (Ags. 1909 Arbroath Guide (9 Jan.) 3). n.Sc. forms and Sc. usages of Eng. gleam:
I. n. 1. A flash (of lightning). Also in n.Eng. dial.Ayr. 1791 Burns Tam o' Shanter 75–76:
The speedy gleams the darkness swallow'd; Loud, deep, and lang the thunder bellow'd.
2. A flame (Ags. 1954). Used adv. in phr. to gae gleam, to catch fire, to go up in a blaze.Abd. 1777 R. Forbes in Sc. Poems 27:
In spite o' Ajax' muckle targe, The barks had a' gane gleam; If ither fouk had na been there, He'd been sent roasten hame.Ags. 1853 W. Blair Chron. Aberbrothock 10:
His face was like the glaeme below the parritch pat.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 65:
Fin the hoose gede on fire, the glaims gede oot our the riggan o't.Ags. 1920 A. Gray Songs & Ballads 39:
Dowsed noo are the glames o' passion, Cauld my hert, and fu' o' sadness.
II. v. To burn with a bright flame.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 65:
We wiz sittin' in the gloamin at the cheek o' a fine glaimin' bit firie newsin' awa wee ane anither.
